New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-17
T1RIEE Ply TRE1TT.

| Before the Presidents illegal Commission be-
gins to negotiate treaty with Great Britain,
thanks to Secretary Lamar, the country has a
| hint of the purpose underlying the negotiation.
| In the presence of Mr.. Chamberlain, whose
ability gives Engishmcn and Democrats hope
that he will make the negotiation success
from a British point of view, the Secretary took
occasion at the Chamber of Commerce dinner
to suggest free trade as remedy for contro-
vcrsy with Canada. for decay of the carrying
trade, and for industrial depression. Mr.. Cham
berlain was shrcwd enough to let the hint pass
as if it touched no responsive chord in his misd.
MIR. Dcpcw, with that happy faculty of saying
the right thing which does not often desert
him, sobcrly expressed the hope that Mr..
Lamars party would have the courage to make
the tariff issue squarely in the next Presidential
campaign, so that il could be decided by the
people on its merits.
! Mr.. Chambcrlain's Commission is expected TO
receive from the Administration surrender Of
vital American interests. England with good
reason rcioiced when President Cleveland was
elected and not in vain have Lngiishmcn given
all the aid they could to his party IN the pre-
ccding campaign. Their confidence was JuSti-
fed in the choice of Mr.. Baydrd as Secretary Of
State. Mr.. Bayards conduct of the state De
paItment has been able in only one direction ;
according to his opportunities, he has dono
what he could to foster British theories and To
serve British interests. The failure to defend
New England fishers was long ago explained
by Mr. Bayard's Baltimore organ, III the suggcs-
ton that the people Of this country had 10 in
tcrest in that little wranglc about "a few fish.
for it could be adjusted at any time when New
England would consent to admit Canadian fish
free of duty Having laborcd for nearly three
years to bring things to such pass that a
treaty modifying the tariff could be negotiated
Mr. Bayard and the President have ncgotatorS
selected, though without authority Of law and
in disregard of the declared wishes Of Congress.
and Mr.. Lamar suggests the outcome that Is
most desired.
Encouraged by the failure Of 100000 Re
publicans to vote in this State, the President
doubtless thinks he can afford TO propose re-
ductiOn Of duties to Congress, and to submit
to the Senate a treaty removing part Of the
duties on imported products from Canada. BIT
the discussions in Congress this winter will
probably show our foreign friends that any
treaty Wnitn dllcHlplS w hIN'i wv ''''' -
likely to fare badly in both houses. One such
treaty has been ratified by the Senate but
virtually nuilfcd by refusal Of the House to
pass an act giving it effect. Exceptional cir
cumstanccs existed in that case, or the Senate
ould have refused ratification. as it did refuse
to iatify other commercial treaties negotiated
| by President Arthur.
Mr. Chamberlain and his associates probably
do not need to be reminded that "A powerful
party in this cOuntry-.a party which has ma
jority in the Senate and majority Of the state
delegations in the llousc-is irrcconcI1bly OPP
posed to any settlement Of duties on imports
by treaties with foreign Powers. That party
holds that the defence Of home industries must
be kept absolutely and always within their
control by the people Of this country, and that
any surrender Of this power in bargain with
another nation is hostile to the national inter
csts. The hostility to such surrender Of the
| Nations power to defend its own industries is
far stronger than the attachment TO any partlcl-
lar form or measure Of protection, and the
British Commissioners will observe this winter
that influential Senators and Representatives,
who urge reduction Of many duties and abolition
of others are at the same time unilinching IN
their opposition to any tariff making by treaty.
The fact is that President Cleveland, in this
business, is trying 20 drive in the thick end Of
| the wedge foremost.